How to lunge a horse

Want to learn how to lunge a horse? Keep reading for some great advice on training and exercising horses through lunging. From simple ‘back to the basic’ tips, to must-have equipment, discover everything you need to know about lunging!

What are the benefits of lunging a horse?

Lunging a horse can be very rewarding and beneficial for both horse and rider. Therefore, understanding the reasons behind lunging is the first step to getting to grips with this style of training.

1) Lunging is a great way to let a horse safely burn off excess energy.

2) It’s regarded as the ideal basis of training young horses because it develops strength, listening and respect.

3) Even for older horses, lunging is helpful in developing balance, rhythm and to improve a horse's paces.

Must-Have Lunging Equipment -

Before you start lunging, you’ll need to make sure you have everything you need to have productive training session.

Lunge Cavesson:

Some people opt for a simple headcollar when starting to lunge, meaning a cavesson is not a necessity. However, they tend to be designed to aid your horse’s comfort. Plus, strategically placed D-rings encourage horses to be more supple in their body when working on the lunge. The Shires Fleece Lined Lunge Cavesson is a good example of all these features.

Shop All Lunging Cavessons

A lunge line:

This is essential and should be at least 30 feet long. Go for a flat webbing line rather than a rope because it's lighter and easier to handle. Even better, this QHP lunge line comes packed in a reusable zip bag for easy storage and transportation.

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Exercise boots or wraps:

Again, this isn't a necessity, but many equestrians choose to use protective boots when lunging. This is because some horses may get overexcited, and all naturally move more closely when working in a circle. This can increase the chances of brushing and overreaching injuries.

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Training aids: 

Once you're happy with the basics of lunging, you may want to invest in a training aid. Lunge Rollers for example can help encourage your horse to work over his back, stretching forwards and down naturally. However, before using a lunging aid it's important you know how to fit it correctly and understand how it works. 

You can learn more about the most common types of training aids for your horse in another of our EQUUS blogs.

Lunging Whip:

The final item you'll need before getting started is a lunging whip. Whilst this should never be used to physically touch the horse, it's essential for providing encouragement for moving between the paces.

Voice:

One of the most important tools when lunging a horse is your voice. It is a great way to teach your horse to understand what you want from them, without excess pressure from other aids. If your horse can understand and listen to your voice on the lunge, then this can be done when ridden too. Lunging is also one of the main training methods used when backing a horse, if your horse trusts and listens to your voice it will help with your horses training. 

How to lunge a horse - 

1) Enter the arena: Lead your horse into the ring or arena and walk to the centre of the circle you want your horse to work on.

2) Hold the Lunge Line and Whip: If your horse will be working on the left rein, hold the lunge line in your left hand and your lunge whip in your right. When your horse is working on the right rein, do the opposite.

3) Create a triangle - Hold the line and the whip so that they create the sides of a triangle. This means you are the apex whilst your horse will be the base. Both of your arms should be bent at the elbow, and you should be standing relaxed.

4) Make the horse walk forwards: Ask your horse to "walk on." It's important to help your horse understand your voice aids by using the same tone and inflection for each cue. Most people use a low drawn-out "whooooaaaaa" for halt and sharp energetic words for walk, trot, and canter.

5) Maintain the circle: As your horse moves off on the circle, you will be holding the lunge line up - not dragging on the ground. Keep elbows bent and the whip pointed at the horse's hocks. Remember to maintain the triangle.

6) Upward transitions: use your voice for upward transitions. This can be reinforced by the position or use of the whip. For some horses it will only take a small wave of the whip from behind, others may need the lash to be cracked. This is done by flicking the whip sharply.

7) Downward transitions: try lowering the tip of the whip to the ground and saying "whooooaaaaa".

Things to know before lunging -

Keep your lunging sessions short! 15-20 minutes on the lunge rein can be equivalent to a 45-minute schooling session.

Work evenly on both reins, this is key to a horse’s balance, suppleness and muscle development.

Stay focused while lunging and always hold the lunge line high enough so that your horse cannot get tangled in it or you don’t trip over it.

Cool down evenly on both reins. Allow your horse’s breathing to return to normal before calling it a day.

Maintain a contact. Most horses naturally try and avoid the bending influence of lunging by falling-in on the circle. It takes perseverance to correct this, but it's important for engaging roundness, suppleness and rhythm.

Keep your circle large. It should be 15m to 20m and the faster your horse is going, the larger the circle needs to be.

The main key to becoming an expert at lunging is simple… Practice, practice, practice. Whilst being careful not to over lunge one horse, you should practise as much as you can and with as many different equine partners as possible.